Abbas orders arrests of suspects in suicide attack

KARIN LAUBAssociated Press Writer

Published Thursday, August 21, 2003

JERUSALEM -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas ordered the arrests Wednesday of suspects directly involved in a Hamas suicide bombing that killed 20 people, but said he would not take broader action against militant groups without the backing of Yasser Arafat.

The two Palestinians and other top leaders met into the early hours Thursday to discuss how best to respond to the attack, a blow to a U.S.-backed peace effort. Participants said the talks were tense and occasionally erupted in yelling.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday approved a series of pinpointed military strikes, some of which could begin immediately. A column of 13 Israeli tanks was seen lining up outside the West Bank town of Ramallah, where Arafat's headquarters is located. However, Israeli security officials indicated the compound would not be targeted, as it was in previous raids.

Five Americans were among those killed in Tuesday's attack on a Jerusalem bus, the U.S. Embassy said. The bus bombing Tuesday was the deadliest attack since President Bush unveiled his "road map" peace plan in May, and the tragedy was magnified by the fact that six children, ranging in age from 3 months to 15 years, were among the dead.

Secretary of State Colin Powell called Abbas and told him he expected "immediate measures to stop the deterioration," said Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Amr. It was not clear whether Powell issued an ultimatum.

Amr said Abbas ordered the detention of militants directly linked to the attack, but would not clamp down on militant groups without Arafat's backing

The Palestinian Cabinet meeting was still going long past midnight, with officials debating a proposed political statement "that can prevent internal Palestinian fighting and at the same time contain the Israeli anger" for the latest attack, Palestinian Labor Minister Ghassan Al-Khatib said.

Participants, speaking on condition of anonymity, said ministers made several proposals, including freezing militant groups' bank accounts and outlawing the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Several ministers said the prime minister said he would demand that all security services be united under his command, and suggested he might step down if Arafat balks.

Arafat, who has been accused by Israel of involvement in terror, continues to control several of the security branches. He has repeatedly criticized Abbas, saying his agreements with Israel amount to very little.

Abbas' security chief, Mohammed Dahlan, arrived at the Cabinet meeting with a bulletproof vest under his blazer, the first time he was seen wearing such protection. It appeared to be an indication of growing tensions among Palestinians.

Abbas until now has shied away from confrontation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, fearing it will spark violence between Palestinians. Instead he has tried to persuade them to halt attacks on Israelis. His decision on whether to change course could determine the fate of the "road map" plan.

Israel warned Wednesday it will resume a relentless hunt for terror suspects if Abbas does not take action, and new Israeli sweeps could trigger more Palestinian attacks. "Either they fight terror, or we do it, without compromise," said Israel's vice premier, Ehud Olmert.

For now, Israel is not planning a major military offensive, but instead will carry out several pinpoint raids against terror suspects, regardless of what the Palestinians decide, said an Israeli security official.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad, along with Arafat's Fatah, had declared a unilateral cease-fire on June 29, but then changed the terms, saying they would avenge killings of Palestinians by Israeli troops. Before Tuesday's attacks, Hamas and Fatah renegades carried out bombings, killing two Israelis.